Samsung launches Gear 2 and Galaxy S5

The world's biggest smartphone maker has revealed its latest wearable technology in a new push to make connected devices the next big trend.

On Sunday, Samsung launched the new Samsung Galaxy S5, Gear 2 smartwatch and Gear Fit fitness band at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, with the fitness band demonstrating the increasing importance technological innovators are placing on the smart shift from the hand to the wrist.

Fighting to maintain top dog status

As smartphone sales have begun to level out, the Korean company faces two challenges as it battles to keep its title as market leader. This follows the rise of competing Chinese rivals, who are providing the same standard of technology at a fraction of the cost.

In an effort to control costs, Samsung is turning away from its previous focus on hardware improvements, and instead enhancing features that they hope will reach a wider audience. JK Shin, co-chief executive and president of Samsung's mobile business said: "With the Galaxy S5, Samsung is going back to basics... Our consumers do not want eye-popping technology or the most complex technology."

Samsung are instead creating smartphones that are beautifully designed, with a better camera and faster connectivity that would work alongside the consumers' desire to keep fit. The Galaxy S5, which will be available to customers from April, has a 5.1 inch screen, a superior camera, protection against water and dust and introduces a fingerprint scanner on the home button - similar to that launched on Apple's 5S in September last year.

How does Samsung's wearable tech work?

The Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo, a lighter version of the smartwatch, are Samsung's second attempt at creating a wearable smart device that will appeal to consumers on a mass scale. Both devices are centred around health and fitness with an inbuilt heart rate sensor, a pedometer and features that will allow users to measure stress, exercise and sleep levels.

Following the anti-climatic launch of the Galaxy Gear in 2013, Samsung has made several improvements to the product including a much longer battery life - two to three days rather than users having to charge their watch each night - and moving the camera off the strap and onto the main body of the device.

Adrian Mursec, head of development at theEword said: "Innovations in smart technology are always interesting, particularly when there is a public rivalry such as that between Samsung and Apple. Samsung have released more products that prevent it from being labelled as just the same as Apple which is a clever and necessary move.

"Just as Apple has recognised itself to be a fashion accessory as well as a smart phone and hired Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts, Samsung is investing in its stronghold of the health and fitness market."